aversive

comparative more aversive · superlative most aversive

1. Tending to repel; causing avoidance.

   "I say—Nora, you, really you?" he cried, transported in turn, and to do him justice he did not seem to notice anything aversive in her disorder—or, indeed, to notice anything but her excited young face.

   1934, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], The Bravo of London

   1 more example

   If it is aversive to the animal and discourages behavior, it is a punishment. If it seems aversive to you but is not aversive to the animal, then it is not an effective punishment. In fact, technically, it's not even a punishment.

   2015, Ilona Rodan, Sarah Heath, editors, Feline Behavioral Health and Welfare, Elsevier Health Sciences, →ISBN, page 47

plural aversives

1. grammarA grammatical case indicating that something is avoided or feared; the evitative case.
2. human sciencesAn unpleasant stimulus intended to induce a change in behaviour.

   For general training purposes, opportunities to engage in reproductive acts are not a practical reinforcer, and using aversives that generate fear is fraught with side effects.

   2015, Ilona Rodan, Sarah Heath, editors, Feline Behavioral Health and Welfare, Elsevier Health Sciences, →ISBN, page 53